Math:important or not?

I just finished reading "Why Math?" by Mr.Fisch. It basically said that people should contact someone in the profession they want to go into and ask a series of questions about how math applies to their lives. I think that it is a very good idea, even in my algebra class someone always asks "when will we use this in our lives?" I ,so far, like math it's an easier subject for me. But

I know lots of people struggle with it and want to know why it's relevant to the profession they want to go into. The thing about mathematics is that it's like a building you need a strong foundation before you can build more or in this case learn more. I saw an ad on the Olympics that said that the United States is 21st in math and science behind countries like China, Norway, Canada, etc... I think today, the more math you know will, for the most part, get you more job oppurtunities and better jobs. I think that America, as a country, should focus on catching up to other countries in math and science. Since children in Norway or where ever will get more job oppurtunities and basically take jobs away from people in the U.S. Even here at Arapahoe I only have 4 days a week of math and science and 5 days a week of english and history. Not that the other subjects aren't important, but I think in this day and age math and scienece will provide you with more jobs and get you farther in your career.